Abstract
We like an object more when we see someone else reaching for it. To what extent is action observation causally linked to object valuation? In this study, we set out to answer to this question by applying continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) over the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Previous studies pointed to this region as critical in the representation of others' actions and in tool manipulation. However, it is unclear to what extent IPL's involvement simply reflects action observation, rather than a casual role in objects' valuation. To clarify this issue, we measured cTBS-dependent modulations of participants' "mimetic preference ratings", i.e., the difference between the ratings of pairs of familiar objects that were (vs. were not) reached out for by other individuals. Our result shows that cTBS increased mimetic preference ratings for tools, when compared to a control condition without stimulation. This effect was selective for items that were reached for or manipulated by another individual, whilst it was not detected in non-tool objects. Although preliminary, this finding suggests that the automatic and covert simulation of an observed action, even when there is no intention to act on an object, influences explicit affective judgments for objects. This work supports embodied cognition theories by substantiating that our subjective preference is grounded in action.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 2101 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | DEC |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 1 2017 |
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Keywords
- Action
- Affective judgments
- CTBS
- Inferior parietal lobule
- Objects
- Observation
- Preference
- Tools
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
Cite this
Modulating mimetic preference with theta burst stimulation of the inferior parietal cortex. / Ticini, Luca F.; Urgesi, Cosimo; Kotz, Sonja A.
In: Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 8, No. DEC, 2101, 01.12.2017.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Modulating mimetic preference with theta burst stimulation of the inferior parietal cortex
AU - Ticini, Luca F.
AU - Urgesi, Cosimo
AU - Kotz, Sonja A.
PY - 2017/12/1
Y1 - 2017/12/1
N2 - We like an object more when we see someone else reaching for it. To what extent is action observation causally linked to object valuation? In this study, we set out to answer to this question by applying continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) over the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Previous studies pointed to this region as critical in the representation of others' actions and in tool manipulation. However, it is unclear to what extent IPL's involvement simply reflects action observation, rather than a casual role in objects' valuation. To clarify this issue, we measured cTBS-dependent modulations of participants' "mimetic preference ratings", i.e., the difference between the ratings of pairs of familiar objects that were (vs. were not) reached out for by other individuals. Our result shows that cTBS increased mimetic preference ratings for tools, when compared to a control condition without stimulation. This effect was selective for items that were reached for or manipulated by another individual, whilst it was not detected in non-tool objects. Although preliminary, this finding suggests that the automatic and covert simulation of an observed action, even when there is no intention to act on an object, influences explicit affective judgments for objects. This work supports embodied cognition theories by substantiating that our subjective preference is grounded in action.
AB - We like an object more when we see someone else reaching for it. To what extent is action observation causally linked to object valuation? In this study, we set out to answer to this question by applying continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) over the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Previous studies pointed to this region as critical in the representation of others' actions and in tool manipulation. However, it is unclear to what extent IPL's involvement simply reflects action observation, rather than a casual role in objects' valuation. To clarify this issue, we measured cTBS-dependent modulations of participants' "mimetic preference ratings", i.e., the difference between the ratings of pairs of familiar objects that were (vs. were not) reached out for by other individuals. Our result shows that cTBS increased mimetic preference ratings for tools, when compared to a control condition without stimulation. This effect was selective for items that were reached for or manipulated by another individual, whilst it was not detected in non-tool objects. Although preliminary, this finding suggests that the automatic and covert simulation of an observed action, even when there is no intention to act on an object, influences explicit affective judgments for objects. This work supports embodied cognition theories by substantiating that our subjective preference is grounded in action.
KW - Action
KW - Affective judgments
KW - CTBS
KW - Inferior parietal lobule
KW - Objects
KW - Observation
KW - Preference
KW - Tools
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85036497179&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85036497179&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02101
DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02101
M3 - Article
VL - 8
JO - Frontiers in Psychology
JF - Frontiers in Psychology
SN - 1664-1078
IS - DEC
M1 - 2101
ER -